Two point switch mechanism



Sept. 17, 1963 w. J. WILLIAMS 3,104,302

TWO POINT SWITCH MECHANISM Filed May 16. 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet l 53 g 3x722 T 40 22 v INVENTOR: 2/ 50 l V/W/am J. W/Y/m/m' R X P 1963 w. J.WILLIAMS 3,104,302

TWO POINT SWITCH MECHANISM Filed May 16. 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 P 1963 w.J. WILLIAMS 3,104,302

TWO POINT SWITCH MECHANISM Filed May 16. 1960 v 3 SheetsSheet 3 gomzsa-WIRE N NE 75 U (n O u) ivme cam:

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W////am d. Wf/lmms United States Patent "6,104,302 TWO POINT SWITCHMECHANISM William J. Williams, 8151 N. Ridgeway Ave, Wilmette, Ill.Filed May 16, 1960, Ser. No. 29,546 2 Claims. (Cl. 200-166) Thisinvention relates to an improved electromechanical device such as arelay, solenoid or the like and especially includes an improved doublebreaking, switching mechanism therefor.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a switchlever mechanism suitably mounted for movement to and from two fixedcontacts by suitable operating means, said mechanism having two spacedmovable switch contacts simultaneously operable in a direction to makethe break both said sets of contacts and also in another direction toeffect a proper seating of said contacts upon each individual make andbreak regardless of any variations in position and alignment of thecontacts.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate to the arrangement, opcration and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufactureand numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration ofthe specification and drawings of a form of the invention, which may bepreferred, in which:

FIGURE I is a plan view of the switching device of this invention;

FIGURE II is a section on the line IIII of FIG- URE I;

FIGURE III is an elevation taken from the line IIIIII of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE IV is a section taken on the line IV--IV of FIGURE II;

FIGURE V is a section taken on the line VV of FIGURE IV;

FIGURE VI is an exploded view of the switching device to expose itselements; and

FIGURE VII is a diagram showing the triangular relationship of contactsand pivot.

ing connections between the switch and solenoids;

FIGURE XI is a section taken substantially on the line XIXI of FIGUREVIII; and

FIGURE XII is a partial view showing an alternate wiring arrangement.

Referring to the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe drawings in FIGURES I, II and III, there is shown the insulatedcircular-shaped base '19 which has a central opening 11 therein adapted,in

the particular instance illustrated, to receive an operating plunger 12carried by a mechanism or unit with which the switch is designed to beassociated. A pair of fixed contacts 14 and 15 are positioned adjacentthe periphery of the disc 14 as shown, provision being illustrated forsuitable electrical connections for the leads of said associated unit.The switching mechanism hereof includes a transversely arranged movablelever assembly 18 carrying at one end contacts 19 and 20, contact 19adapted to co-act with fixed contact 14 and contact 20 with contact 15.More in detail in the particular lever assembly illustrated in thispresent embodiment of the 3,164,392 Patented Sept. 17, 1963 invention,it will be seen that there is provided a main metal base piece 21,having a curled end 22 forming the pivot for the lever, the other end ofthe elongated metal strip 21 having a transverse enlargement 24 to whichthe movable contacts 19 and 20 are insulatingly connected and arearranged to be moved in unison by the lever assembly 18. To this endeach of the movable contacts 19 and 2% are connected with a crosspiece25, which in turn, through spaced insulating plates 26 and 27, isriveted to said cross enlargement 24 by rivets 28, the rivets themselvesbeing insulated by grommets 29, as illustrated. There is also provided atop piece 30 connected to the cross extension 24, said element 30 havingan upwardly bent cone-shaped section 31 adapted to center the returncoiled spring 32, in the particular embodiment of the invention shownherein.

An important feature of the present invention is the pivoting of thelever 18 to insure correct setting of each of the movable contacts whichact in unison, as stated, said pivot being illustrated herein in FIGURESIV, V, and VI. In detail, this pivotal support consists of a bracket 35fixed to the base It by rivets 3.6 and 37 (see FIGURE VI), said bracket35 adapted to adjustably support a pivot carrier or housing it! for theactual pivot at the end of the lever mechanism 18. In the particularembodiment illustrated, this support consists of a U-shaped member 46having side portions 41 and 42 and an end 4-3, the end 43 having anelongated opening 44 for cooperation with a tapped opening 45 in thesupporting bracket 35 so that the position of the supporting pivot forthe lever may be moved toward and away from the base it and fixed in adesired position. Thus, a screw 46 is adapted to be threaded into thetapped opening 45 with the end wall 44- of the support 45 locatedtherebetween. A serrated washer 47 is located against the outer face ofthe upright piece 35 and the U-shaped bracket fits over the uprightsupport 35 with washer 4'7 therebetween. Then screw 46, first passingthrough a washer 49 on the outside of the face 43 and underneath thehead of the screw 46, extends through elongated opening 44 into tappedhole in support 35. Thus, by loosening the screw 46 the U-shaped pivotsupport 43 for the lever 18 may be adjusted as desired toward and awayfrom the base 19. Hence, contacts 19 and 26 may be spaced variously asdesired relative to the first contacts 14 and 15.

The U-shaped bracket 40, as illustrated more f lly in FIGURES IV, V andVI forms a bearing for the pintle 59 around which and spaced therefromthe curved bearing element 22 of the lever 21 is positioned. Asheretofore indicated, an important feature of the entire invention is toprovide a mechanism which will permit the lever 18 to not only swing inan are around pintle 50 and move the free end .of lever 18 toward andaway from the base 10, but also to tilt or rock on the pivot. To thisend, as clearly shown in FIGURES IV and V, the curled end bearing 22 islarger than pintle 50 and has a central detent 53 therein, extendingthrough the inside thereof and contacting the pintle 50 as shown. Itwill also be noted that the curved bearing portion 22 of the lever isspaced as at 54 and 55 from the walls of the U-shaped bracket 40 topermit this tilting and pivoting of the lever with respect to the pintle50.

To satisfactorily position the spring 32, there is provided an elongatedbracket member 56 straddling the lever 18 and riveted as at 57 and 53 tothe base It This bracket 56 is punched with an opening 6t to form aninner ridge 61, so that the coiled spring 32 is pro erly centeredbetween the ridge 61 and cone 31 in proper position to contact the leverassembly 18.

Operation Switch In FIGURE VII there is shown a diagrammaticalillustration of the three point effect in the operation of the switchmechanism hereof, where it will be seen that the indentation 53 forms,in effect, at one end a single unitary pivot point A for the lever 13,said lever being illustrated diagnammatically as a triangle in FIGUREVII. At the other end of lever 13, the lines B and C indicate thecentral axis of the movable switch contacts 19 and 2% which, being fixedto each other, move in unison as stated, supra. If both movable contactpoints are in perfect alignment with their corresponding fixed contacts,the actuation of the switching mechanism will merely swing lever 18around the pintle 50 without any tilting or lateral or transversemovement. However, if one of the contacts 14 or 15 is not in properalignment with the movable corresponding contact, or the lever mechanism18 is twisted or not substantially level so that the one set of contactsas at B, for example, makes conneotion before the other one at C hassatisfactorily engaged its fixed contact, then the bearing 22., beingloose on pintle 59, by reason of the point contact of the indentation 53in bearing 22 on the pintle will tilt so that lever 13 will also tiltuntil the other contact as at C properly seats. The three pointtriangular illustration of FEGURE Vil indicates this operation. In theillustrated application of the switching mechanism hereof, the suitablyoperated plunger 12 moves lever 18 in one directionto open the switchcontacts and coiled spring 32 moves it in the opposite direction toclose the contacts. As shown, both contacts of each set are curved asillustrated, for example in FIGURE III, as at D '(FIGURE VII) to furtherfacilitate the proper aligning action just.

described.

The foregoing switch mechanism may be used for providing a double breakin a single circuit, and -I have found the same of special utility inconnection with electro-mechanical devices such as relays, solenoids,and the like,'arid illustrate in FIGURES VIII through XII a doublo coilsolenoid with the internal-external circuits, illustrated, utilizingsaid switch mechanism.

Referring to FIGURE VIII, it will be seen that the solenoid has a casing70 on top plate 71, to which the base of the foregoing switch mechanismis secured as illustrated. Moreover, on FIGURE VIII I show the cap 72for the switch mechanism itself located in place, and have arranged ascrew '73 passing through said cap and into screw threads on theprotrusion 61 of the element 56 within the switch mechanism.

Within the casing 7i) of the solenoid is an outer high resistancecontinuous duty coil 75 of relatively fine wire.

The other coil 76 is located inside the coil '75, coil 76 being a lowresistance, high-powered, pull-in coil for temporary connection as willhereinafter appear. These coils are suitably located in the casing asshown, and a. typical solenoid armature core or plunger 7 S ispositioned to be properly moved when the coils are energized, plungor 78contacting the switch pin or plunger 12, as will hereinafter appear.

The solenoid is arranged to do substantial mechanical work and hence amuch heavier flux field is required at the beginning of its stroke thanis necessary to hold the core 78 in upper position after the stroke hasbeen completed. To effect this result, I have provided a construction soarranged that both coils 75 and 76 operate at the initial or break-awayaction of the solenoid, whereupon subsequently the pull-in Winding orwinding 76 is automatically disconnected by the switch mechanism.

Referring to FIGURE X, the internal and external circuits are hereillustrated. The external circuit has an input :lead 80 which may becontrolled, if desired, by suitable outside or remote control manual orautomatic switch 81, said input lead 80 being connected with solenoidswitch terminal 82 which also carries one of the double switch contacts14, as illustrated in FIGURE Ill.

From the connection point 83 of said input terminal 82 a lead 84connects to terminal 85, whence the high'resistance, low-poweredcontinuous duty coil is connected, the other terminal section 87 of coil75 being connected to contact 88 as shown, hence lead 89 joins the sameto outlet terminal 90 for the external circuit to which the externalcircuit outlet lead 91 is connected.

The coil 76 for producing the heavy flux field at the initiation of theoperation of the solenoid is located within coil 76 as shown, andconsists of a plurality of a large number of turns of low resistancerelatively coarse wire. The circuit therefor is illustrated in FIGURE X,where it will be seen that from the input terminal 82 the current passesto contacts 14 and 19 of switch bridge 25, hence through contacts 26 and15 to connector 94. Then a lead 95 is connected to a terminal 96 which,in turn, has a lead 97 connected to the input terminal of the inncr coil'76. The output circuit for said coil 76 includes a lead 9 connected toa contact 10%), which by lead 191 is connected to the outlet terminal 96as shown. As shown in FIGURE XII a suitable ground 102 may besubstituted for the return wire 91.

Operation From the foregoing it will be seen that, when switch 81 isclosed, energy will be supplied to both cells 75 and 76. At the start ordead position the core or plunger work conjointly to produce the heavyfield flux and per mit the plunger 78 to effect the work required. Asthe plunger 78 moves upwardly, as shown in FIGURE VIII, core 78 will acton the plunger 1% which will contact the switch lever, as shown inFIGURE IX, and simultaneously open both points 14 and 19 and 20 and 15.This disconnects only the high powered coil 76 and leavesthecontinuously operating lower powered coil 75 in circuit untilexternal switch 81 is finally broken. The coil 75 has sufficient powerto hold the plunger in the position illustrated with the switch contacts14 and 19', as well as 20 and 15 open, while switch 8-1 is closed. Whenswitch 81 is finally opened both coils 75 and '76 become deenergized andthe parts return to initial or dead position.

An important feature of my solenoid construction ining switch mechanismhereof, since the life of the unit as a whole has been greatly increasedby this switch, due

to certain electrical phenomena involved in breaking the circuit in twoplaces instead of one, especially when using direct current.

"171 FIGURE XII, I show a modification in which one of the externalleads 91 is grounded, in case the mecha nism be used in a groundedsystem.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention modifications anddifferent arrangements may bemade other than is herein disclosed, andthe present disclosure is illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

l. A substantially three-point electrical switching mechanism includinga lever portion; a base portion carrying thereon a first pair ofelectrical contacts and providing thereon a pintle for pivotal supportof said lever; a second pair of spaced contacts carried on one end ofsaid lever portion to engage said first pair of contacts; pivot meansadjacent the other end of said lever portion'including a curved endbearing carrying therein a transverse indentation for forming asubstantially point pivot for said lever on the pintle of said baseportion wherein said pivot means and said second pair of contacts definethree points a in a plane for accurately positioning said second pair ofcontacts on said first pair of contacts; a biasing means operatingnormal to said plane and in one direction against said lever portion torotate said lever portion about said point pivot and to close saidsecond pair of contacts against said first pair of contacts; andselectively operative means operating normal to said plane and againstsaid lever portion in the opposite direction to move said lever portionabout said point pivot to disengage said second pair of contacts fromsaid first pair of contacts.

2. In an electric switch including a lever portion; an insulating baseportion having a central opening therein to receive a remotely operativeforce member, a first pair of contacts on said base on one side of saidopening, and a pintle for providing a pivotal support on the other sideof said opening for receiving said lever portion; a second pair ofcontacts carried on one end of said lever to engage said first pair ofcontacts; pivot means adjacent the other end of said lever including acurved end bearing carrying therein a transverse indentation forming asubstantially point pivot on the pintle of said base portion, wherebysaid pivot means and said second pair of contacts define three points ina plane forming means for accurately seating said second pair of movablecontacts on said first pair of movable contacts; biasing means operatingnormal to said plane and against said lever portion to rotate said leverportion about said point pivot for engaging said second pair of contactswith said first pair of contacts; and a mechanical member projectingthrough the opening in said insulating base and operating normal to saidplane against said lever portion in the opposite direction to rotatesaid lever portion about said point pivot for disengaging said secondpair of contacts from said first pair of contacts, whereby said secondpair of contacts are always leveled into engagement with said first pairof contacts upon withdrawal of said mechanical force member from saidlever portion and by operation of said biasing means against said leverportion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,092,478 Sommermeyer Sept. 7, 1937 2,184,767 Schaelchlin Dec. 26, 19392,344,178 Sparrow Mar. 14, 1944 2,356,836 Ebert Aug. 29, 1944 2,540,022Rabenda Jan. 30, 1951 2,543,036 May Feb. 27, 1951 2,549,371 Fereday Apr.17, 1951 2,571,803 Winter Oct. 16, 1951 2,880,292 Dahlgren et al Mar.31, 1959' FOREIGN PATENTS 329,893 Switzerland June 30, 1958

1. A SUBSTANTIALLY THREE-POINT ELECTRICAL SWITCHING MECHANISM INCLUDINGA LEVER PORTION; A BASE PORTION CARRYING THEREON A FIRST PAIR OFELECTRICAL CONTACTS AND PROVIDING THEREON A PINTLE FOR PIVOTAL SUPPORTOF SAID LEVER; A SECOND PAIR OF SPACED CONTACTS CARRIED ON ONE END OFSAID LEVER PORTION TO ENGAGE SAID FIRST PAIR OF CONTACTS; PIVOT MEANSADJACENT THE OTHER END OF SAID LEVER PORTION INCLUDING A CURVED ENDBEARING CARRYING THEREIN A TRANSVERSE INDENTATION FOR FORMING ASUBSTANTIALLY POINT PIVOT FOR SAID LEVER ON THE PINTLE OF SAID BASEPORTION WHEREIN SAID PIVOT MEANS AND SAID SECOND PAIR OF CONTACTS DEFINETHREE POINTS IN A PLANE FOR ACCURATELY POSITIONING SAID SECOND PAIR OFCONTACTS ON SAID FIRST PAIR OF CONTACTS; A BIASING MEANS OPERATINGNORMAL TO SAID PLANE AND IN ONE DIRECTION AGAINST SAID LEVER PORTION TOROTATE SAID LEVER PORTION ABOUT SAID POINT PIVOT AND TO CLOSE SAIDSECOND PAIR OF CONTACTS